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Signage-Kapala

The Kapala are built as two hemispherical units, each hemisphere being a complete reflection of the sky overhead.

The western Kapala unit is built for observations while the eastern segment is meant for theoretical conversions of co-ordinates from one system to another. The western Kapala unit is analogous to the Jaiprakas – a hemispherical bowl on which every point is a reflection of a pointing the sky.

By looking at the shadow of a crosswire strectched over its surface, the co-ordinates of the Sun in the sky, can be determined with the western Kapala. The Kapala does not have gaps cut into it, unlike the Jaiprakas, and thus, cannot be used for night time observing.